This post is sponsored by VIICode. All opinions are my own. This post also contains affiliate links. Read my disclosure here.
My skin has always been a priority for me. I’m a huge proponent of moisturizing and make it a point to do so every morning and night. Even on the nights I am too lazy (or maybe a little intoxicated), I force myself to wash my face to prevent acne. I’ve been using anti-aging serums and lotions since I basically entered my 20s because I was deathly afraid of getting wrinkles. Unfortunately, they still appeared, particularly on my forehead. This was the reason I turned to Botox, but you can read about that story in my other post.
Anyways, if you didn’t know, I turned 30 this year. Knowing I was entering a new decade of my life, I began doing some research and reading a bunch of articles related to “Skin in Your 30s,” “Your New Skin Routine in your 30s,” and “Skin Care Tips in Your 30s,” just to name a few. After taking some mental notes, I decided to then take a hard look at the products I was using on my skin, particularly on my face and neck.
After doing a lot of research (reading reviews are my jam), I’ve added a few new products to my arsenal that I’m absolutely loving. I’ve also continued with my tried and true products I’ve been using for years. Over the last few months, I’ve noticed my skin has been less acne prone, more moisturized (I have naturally dry skin), and even has a nice glow to it 🙂
So ladies, if you’re looking for some products to combat issues you’re having or looking to do some preventative care for your skin, this post is for you. I want to mention that these are all products I genuinely use. I would never recommend products I didn’t use or didn’t love. Without further ado…
*Note* All product photos are courtesy of Amazon, Maëlle, and Swirl & Sparkle.
ROC Max Resurfacing Anti-Aging Facial Cleanser
A few years ago, I was on the hunt for a solid facial cleanser. As I mentioned, my skin is naturally dry and it can be prone to tiny breakouts here and there. I’m also a huge advocate of preventative care, so I look for anti-aging products every chance I get. I randomly came across ROC’s anti-aging facial cleanser in my local CVS. I figured I’d try it and bought it. It is hands down my favorite cleanser I’ve used to date. The soap itself is a little grainy as it has tiny exfoliating beads. I feel like having that really ensures I’m getting all of the makeup off of my face. This cleanser is really geared towards women who are worried about reducing and preventing fine lines and wrinkles. Highly recommend!
Tinkle Razor
After I wash my face and before I put on any type of product, I will dermaplane (i.e. shave) my face with these magic little razors by Tinkle. I highly recommend dermaplaning your face when it’s dry and free of product. I used to pay $50+ for a licensed professional to do this as part of my facial treatment, but I quickly learned that I could easily do this part of my advanced skin routine myself. Dermaplaning is a great way to remove the peach fuzz and dead skin off of your face, so that the products you’re putting on your face afterward are really able to work more effectively. I don’t obviously need to do this every night as part of my skincare routine, but I will do it every few weeks. I always see an instantaneous change in the way my skin looks and feels.
Maëlle Skin Sparkle Facial Polish
I randomly came across this as one of my blogger friends was talking about it a few weeks ago. Maëlle is a new skin care and makeup brand, so you may not have heard of this amazing skin sparkle facial polish. I use it usually in the morning right before I put on my makeup to exfoliate and remove any dead skin cells from the night before. It’s a lot different than any other product I’ve used because it starts off as a liquid and then as you rub it into your skin, it begins to dry and takes the dead skin right off of your face. It’s grossly satisfying. After I rinse it off, my skin is silky smooth and much more bright and glowy! Try it and you won’t be disappointed.
Tula Probiotic Skin Care Pro-Glycolic 10% pH Resurfacing Gel Toner
After reading all those Turning 30 articles, I realized I needed a toner. The last time I used a toner was probably in high school, which helped to prevent acne, but I found the toners I used to use were super drying. Not so good for my dry skin. As I began my hunt for a toner, I had seen numerous bloggers reviewing Tula products, and I was intrigued. What made me want to purchase Tula’s gel toner was the fact that it was a gel and not a liquid and it was alcohol free. It instead uses probiotics and glycolic acid that helps to tone but not over-dry.
I have really enjoyed using Tula’s toner right after I wash my face as it takes off any of the makeup I may have missed and leaves my skin feeling smooth and hydrated. I’m for sure keeping it as part of my skin care routine. I’m just still working on using the pump of the bottle as it tends to shoot out pretty fast (haha!).
InstaNatural Hyaluronic Acid Serum with Vitamin C
Don’t ask me how, but I came across this on Amazon about two years ago. Let’s be honest, I was probably searching for an anti-aging serum. What caught my eye was the number of positive reviews InstaNatural had on its hyaluronic acid serum. I also loved that the serum was geared to combat dry skin, promote a youthful glow, and also prevent aging.
I put this serum on my face and neck right after the Tula toner. It smells a little bit like oranges and it’s very pleasant. It’s extremely hydrating and dries fairly quickly. I just ran out of my bottle and just ordered my next one!
VIIcode O2M Oxygen Eye Mask
Given I was on this skincare kick, when VIIcode reached out and asked me if I wanted to try their oxygen eye mask, I jumped at the chance – especially because I was putting more care into the skin around my eyes. The eye mask is different in that you put the gel eye pads on right after your nightly skin care routine and then you go to sleep! That’s right – the product works as you sleep (the definition of beauty sleep)! They feel like little cushions right under eyes and they don’t fall off while you sleep, either.
The masks are formulated to banish under eye circles, puffiness, wrinkles and other signs of aging. While I’ve never really had to deal with dark eye circles or tired eyes, I did notice the eye mask revealed brighter and softer skin upon taking them off in the morning. I’ll personally continue using the masks the night before to things like events I host or parties I’m going to.
Epionce Medical Barrier Cream
I love the Epionce products!! I got introduced to them at the first medical spa I went to in the city a few years ago. During one of my facial appointments, I was complaining how dry my skin was. Epionce’s Medical Barrier Cream was recommended to me and I ended buying it right then and there. I’ve bought many bottles after that (on Amazon – it’s cheaper there :)) and can’t say enough good things about this cream. It’s so hydrating and is perfect to put on on my face and neck in both the morning and night. It doesn’t leave my skin greasy at all either. If you have dry skin, check it out!
Epionce also has a great firming facial mask that I also use every once in awhile. And bonus – you can even use it as lotion and rub it in all the way if you have extremely dry patches of skin.
Clinique Repairwear Anti-Gravity Eye Cream
As part of my research after my 30th birthday, it came to my attention you must introduce a dedicated eye cream to your skincare routine in your 30s. I started searching for my ideal eye cream and came across Clinique’s luxurious, thick eye cream. It had a ton of positive reviews and was the top rated eye cream on Ulta’s website. It’s a bit pricey, especially for the size, but I will say the cream is extra thick that you don’t need a ton. I put a tiny amount on my fingers and blend right under and around my eyes after my serum and it definitely does the trick! I’ve noticed a visible difference in my crows feet wrinkles around my eyes! I will be buying it again.
Swirl & Sparkle’s Makeup Brush Cleanser
I met Marii, the founder and CEO of Swirl & Sparkle, earlier this year and fell in love with her and her product, a makeup brush cleanser. The Swirl & Sparkle product is all-natural, organic, and cruelty-free and smells divine (like vanilla marshmallow!). It’s sparkled with acrylic diamonds, molded into a variety of gorgeous designs, and cuts your makeup brush cleaning AND drying time into half.
Do you actually wash your makeup brushes? I can truthfully say I pretty much never did – until Swirl & Sparkle. Now I actually enjoy washing my brushes. It’s oddly satisfying to watch the makeup leave your brushes and reveal brand new looking brushes. If you want to see the process in action – head to watch the videos here. I am a huge believer in Swirl & Sparkle and recommend it to all of my family and friends!
Do you have any skin care products that you absolutely love that weren’t on this list? Shout them out in the comments!
Kelly Nash is a Chicago-based writer, career coach, speaker and founder of Lipstick & Ink®. She also works full-time in technology as a Role Strategy and Employee Engagement Manager at Salesforce and has over 12 years of digital marketing experience. Kelly has been featured in Thrive Global, Chicago Tribune, International Association of Women, General Assembly, Salesforce, and SheFactor. She’s fueled by black coffee, sunshine, a good ink pen, and a bold lip.
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